Occupational Noise Exposure

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
1219-0040 etc group FRN PUBLISHED 5-11-15 p26953.pdf Supplementary Document	2015-07-13
1219-0120 2015 Supporting Statement 7-2015.doc Supporting Statement A	2015-07-24

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
14491	Occupational Noise Exposure	Modified

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 1219-0120	ICR Reference No: 201507-1219-001
Status: Historical Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 201203-1219-001
Agency/Subagency: DOL/MSHA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Occupational Noise Exposure
Type of Information Collection: Extension without change of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved without change	Conclusion Date: 10/26/2015
	Date Received in OIRA: 07/31/2015
Terms of Clearance:

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	10/31/2018	36 Months From Approved	10/31/2015
Responses	179,186	0	207,633
Time Burden (Hours)	13,295	0	14,291
Cost Burden (Dollars)	31,022	0	34,327

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Abstract: Noise is a harmful physical agent and one of the most pervasive health hazards in mining. Repeated exposure to high levels of sound over time causes occupational noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), a serious, often profound physical impairment in mining, with far-reaching psychological and social effects. NIHL can be distinguished from aging and other factors that can contribute to hearing loss and it can be prevented. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), NIHL is among the "top ten" leading occupational illnesses and injuries. For many years, NIHL was regarded as an inevitable consequence of working in a mine. Mining, an intensely mechanized industry, relies on drills, crushers, compressors, conveyors, trucks, loaders, and other heavy-duty equipment for the excavation, haulage, and processing of material. This equipment creates high sound levels, exposing machine operators as well as miners working nearby. MSHA, OSHA, the military, and other organizations around the world have established and enforced standards to reduce the loss of hearing. Quieter equipment, isolation of workers from noise sources, and limiting the time workers are exposed to noise are among the many well-accepted methods that will prevent the costly incidence of NIHL. Records of miner exposures to noise are necessary so that mine operators and MSHA can evaluate the need for and effectiveness of engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment to protect miners from harmful levels of noise that can result in hearing loss. However, the Agency believes that extensive records for this purpose are not needed. These requirements are a performance-oriented approach to monitoring. Records of miner hearing examinations enable mine operators and MSHA to ensure that the controls are effective in preventing NIHL for individual miners. Records of training are needed to confirm that miners receive the information they need to become active participants in hearing conservation efforts.

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Authorizing Statute(s): PL: Pub.L. 91 - 173 103(c)(e)(h) Name of Law: Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977
   PL: Pub.L. 91 - 173 101(a)(6)(A), (B) Name of Law: Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	80 FR 26953	05/11/2015
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	80 FR 45684	07/31/2015
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Occupational Noise Exposure

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Approved	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	179,186	207,633	0	0	-28,447	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	13,295	14,291	0	0	-996	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	31,022	34,327	0	0	-3,305	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Increase Due to:

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: The decrease in responses, burden hours, and costs was due to a decrease in the number of mines. Respondents: Decrease of 752 (from 13,245 to 12,493) Responses: Decrease of 28,447 (from 207,633 to 179,186) Hours: Decrease of 994 (from 14,289 to 13,295) Costs: Decrease of $3,305 (from $34,327 to $31,022)

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $0

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Is the Supporting Statement intended to be a Privacy Impact Assessment required by the E-Government Act of 2002? No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? Uncollected

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Common Form ICR:  No

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On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).

The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:

(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;

(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;

(c) It reduces burden on small entities;

(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;

(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;

(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;

(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:

(i) Why the information is being collected;

(ii) Use of information;

(iii) Burden estimate;

(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);

(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and

(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;

(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.

(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and

(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.

If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.

Certification Date: 07/31/2015

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